JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has awarded a bid to replace the Lamine River Bridge on Route 41 in Cooper County. Lehman Construction, LLC of California submitted the low bid of $2.2 million for the project.

The project involves closing Route 41 at the Lamine River, removing the existing bridge and constructing a new bridge at the same location. Route 41 will be closed no longer than three months to minimize disruption to the traveling public. The contract will also contain incentives for the work to be completed earlier.

"We're excited to get this project under way," said Transportation Project Manager Mike Dusenberg. "We are happy we were able to work with the surrounding community to develop a plan that would provide a bridge that is wider, smoother, and safer for travel."

The project is scheduled to take place during the spring and summer of 2014. Motorists will be detoured to Route K, through Blackwater, and back to Route 41 north of the project location. The length of the detour is approximately 15 miles.

For more information about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or log onto www.modot.org/central.